Russian hockey instructor brings unique training to Burlington

Russian hockey instructor brings unique training to Burlington

Luca Rea, 9, leaps off a springboard to practise his balance when landing during the Gym On Ice camp at Appleby Ice Centre on Thursday.

Russian hockey instructor brings unique training to Burlington

Nikki Wesley — Burlington Post

Douglas Elgstam demonstrates skating on the inside edge for students during the Gym On Ice camp at Appleby Ice Centre yesterday.

Russian hockey instructor brings unique training to Burlington

Nikki Wesley — Burlington Post

Dr. Yasha Smushkin shouts instructions from the bench during the Gym On Ice camp Thursday at the Appleby Ice Centre. Smushkin couldn't be on the ice because of hip problems, so he used a loudspeaker to bark commands to the students.

It was just a coincidence that while Dr. Yasha Smushkin was commenting on the problems of Canadian hockey yesterday, this country’s junior team had been eliminated hours earlier by the United States in the semifinal round of the world championships.

Sweden was edging the Russians for the other spot in the final as well.

The question put to the 82-year-old instructing legend from Russia was the differences he observed teaching Canadian players compared to the Swedes and Russians he sees at his other camps.

“There is a more technical approach (for children) in other countries,” he said. “For example, Sweden; no games from Monday to Friday, only practices, with games Saturday and Sunday. Same in Russia, Same in Finland. Here? Too many games and not enough agility development.”

Smushkin, at Appleby Ice Centre for four days of instructing his Elite Hockey Agility ‘Gym On Ice’ camp, was taking a break while the ice was being resurfaced. That’s the only time his students are off the pad during a 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. daily session.

“Canada has a high percentage of population playing hockey,” he said. “I teach many times a year in Sweden. They won today, yes? Nine million people, but the system is different.”

Smushkin is teaching this course and another in March because Burlington resident Derek Rea, a former European hockey pro, has known the doctor for decades and believes in his courses.

“Dr. Smushkin trained me when I was eight years old,” said Rea, who organized the camps. “I saw a need in Burlington for skills development in children.”

At Appleby, the ages range from 5 to mid-teens, all involved in the same agility training.

“That’s why we don’t divide them up into age groups,” said Rea. “These drills improve players’ skills regardless of what age they’re taught. And if a young kid can master it, it inspires the older ones who can’t.”

Pro and ex-pro players such as Jason Spezza, Adam Foote and Keith Primeau have gained a better understanding of the game through practising Smushkin’s unusual tactics, which Smushkin began teaching in the early 1970s after emigrating to the U.S., then Toronto, where he currently resides.

Smushkin, who completed his doctoral thesis in the science of figure skating under the All-Soviet Scientific Research Institute of Sports and Physical Culture in 1972, has players sailing through the air via spring boards and practising skating moves that resemble figure skating more than hockey.

All of the many drills are used to make the player not only more agile, but more responsive to the movement of the puck and players on the ice.

Three players attending the camp to improve their chances at future OHL midget drafts are finding the Gym On Ice program to their liking.

Drake Lafontaine, 13, a forward for the Mississauga Rebels, said the agility work has its benefits.

“It makes you more unpredictable when you come down on defencemen so you can beat them and get better scoring chances,” he said.

Nicolas Vlahos, 15, moved to Toronto from Montreal this year to play centre for the Toronto Red Wings minor midget team.

“(Dr. Smushkin) teaches you how to protect the puck when you’re going around an opponent,” he said. “And how to handle the puck in tight situations.”

East Gwillimbury’s Deven Deguara, who plays defence for the Markham Waxers AAA bantams, said he’s already noticing the benefits of the workouts.

“I’ve been to more camps than I can count,” he said. “This one’s the best.”

Dr. Smushkin will instruct another camp in Burlington March 11-14 at Mainway Arena.